MSC Grandiosa became the first ship in the MSC Cruises fleet to welcome passengers yesterday and the first to implement the company's health and hygiene protocol. The first passengers began boarding MSC Cruises' flagship yesterday morning in the port of Genoa, Italy. They arrived at the terminal during their designated time slots and followed the new check-in procedures in accordance with the company's health and hygiene protocol, which includes a temperature check, a health questionnaire, and a COVID-19 test for all passengers before boarding. After completing these steps and receiving their test results while still at the terminal, passengers who were cleared to travel were able to board, but not before having their handbags and carry-on luggage sanitized.
All passengers have received a MSC for Me , which allows them to perform contactless tasks on board, such as unlocking their cabin or making payments. This will also facilitate contact tracing. In addition, over the past few weeks, all crew members have undergone enhanced health and safety measures, including three COVID-19 tests at various stages and a period of isolation before starting work. All crew members will continue to be tested and monitored for their health.
Gianni Onorato, CEO of MSC Cruises, commented: “It is a true pleasure for me to be aboard the first of our ships to resume operations and to welcome our guests back. Our primary focus over the past few months has been implementing the appropriate measures to protect the health and safety of our guests, our crew, and the communities we visit. But at the same time, we have worked to ensure that we can provide our guests with a cruise holiday where they can enjoy and experience everything they know and love, from onboard entertainment and activities to shore excursions, all in complete safety.”
Following the embarkation of new passengers today in Civitavecchia, more travelers will board in the ports of Naples and Palermo. The ship will then call at Valletta, Malta, before returning to Genoa on Sunday. During the itinerary, passengers can enjoy the various ports of call on land, but only as part of one of the excursions offered by MSC Cruises. These excursions have enhanced safety measures in place to ensure the experience adheres to the same health and safety standards as those on board. Today, some passengers visited Rome, experiencing the best of the Eternal City in pre-sanitized transfers, with social distancing measures in place, and accompanied by guides and drivers who also follow strict health and hygiene protocols.
For this initial phase of restarting operations in the current summer season, the two MSC Cruises ships operating in the Mediterranean, MSC Grandiosa in the western Mediterranean and MSC Magnifica in the eastern Mediterranean, will initially only receive passengers who are residents of Schengen countries.
For more information about MSC Grandiosa and the new health and hygiene protocol, please visit: https://www.msccruceros.es/es-es/Homepage.aspx
